U.S. patent number 7,654,508 [Application Number 12/357,650] was granted by the patent office on 2010-02-02 for air humidifier.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Venta-Luftwascher GmbH. Invention is credited to Alfred Hitzler, Guido Wegner.
United States Patent |
7,654,508 |
Wegner , et al. |
February 2, 2010 |
Air humidifier
Abstract
An air humidifier including a first container and a second
container that can be filled with water from the first container,
an atomizer and electrodes. The second container is subdivided into
a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the two reservoirs being
interconnected with the interposition of a filter. Two electrodes
are arranged in the first reservoir, and a component of the
atomizer is arranged in the second reservoir in order to atomize
the water.
Inventors: |
Wegner; Guido (Schlier,
DE), Hitzler; Alfred (Mochenwangen, DE) |
Assignee: |
Venta-Luftwascher GmbH
(Weingarten, DE)
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Family
ID: |
38508841 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/357,650 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090174088 A1 |
Jul 9, 2009 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/DE2007/000963 |
May 29, 2007 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 26, 2006 [DE] |
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10 2006 035 214 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
261/34.1;
261/DIG.48; 261/DIG.46; 261/81; 261/78.2; 210/295; 210/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F
6/14 (20130101); Y02B 30/54 (20130101); Y10S
261/48 (20130101); F24F 2110/00 (20180101); Y10S
261/46 (20130101); F24F 2006/125 (20130101); Y02B
30/80 (20130101); Y02B 30/70 (20130101); Y02B
30/545 (20130101); F24F 11/30 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01F
3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;261/28,30,34.1,72.1,78.2,81,116,119.1,DIG.46,DIG.48,DIG.65,DIG.80
;210/252,259,295,748 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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400 498 |
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Apr 1966 |
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CH |
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30 25 183 |
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Jan 1981 |
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DE |
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35 07 544 |
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Sep 1986 |
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DE |
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41 22 389 |
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Jan 1993 |
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DE |
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01-196435 |
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Aug 1989 |
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JP |
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10-281502 |
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Oct 1998 |
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JP |
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2001-082774 |
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Mar 2001 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Bushey; Scott
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burr & Brown
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of International Application No.
PCT/DE2007/000963, filed May 29, 2007, which designated the United
States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC .sctn.119(a)-(d) of
German Application No. 10 2006 035 214.9 filed Jul. 26, 2006, the
entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An air humidifier comprising a first container and a second
container that can be filled with water from the first container,
an atomizer and electrodes, the second container being subdivided
into a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the two reservoirs
being interconnected through an interposed filter, two electrodes
arranged in the first reservoir, and a component of an atomizer
arranged in the second reservoir in order to atomize the water.
2. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air
humidifier can be separated into a base unit and at least one
replaceable module.
3. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
replaceable module comprises at least one of the electrodes, the
filter and the component of the atomizer.
4. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
replaceable module is received in the base unit in a removeable
manner.
5. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
replaceable module houses the second container.
6. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrodes
are ceramic electrodes.
7. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter is
a mechanical filter.
8. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
sensor arranged in the second container.
9. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor
detects a water level in the second container.
10. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor is
formed by the two electrodes.
11. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor
determines the quality of the water in the second container.
12. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
replaceable module has an interface with control electronics.
13. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the atomizer
is an ultrasonic atomizer comprising an electronic system and an
oscillating plate, the electronic system and the oscillating plate
being physically separated from one another, and the oscillating
plate being arranged in the second reservoir as the component of
the atomizer.
14. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
oscillating plate is a piezoceramic plate.
15. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
replaceable module has an interface with control electronics and
the interface has electrical contacts for the oscillating
plate.
16. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the atomizer
is a nozzle atomizer comprising a pump and a nozzle, the nozzle
being arranged in the second reservoir as a component of the
atomizer.
17. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electrodes operate in a standby mode in which the atomizer is not
active.
18. The air humidifier as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a
sensor arranged in the second container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an air humidifier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Atomizers have long been in use for air humidification, in
particular of interior spaces. Such atomizers make use of
ultrasound or fine nozzles in order to generate a cold fog composed
of tiny droplets. The known atomizers have the following
disadvantages in principle. Lime that is dissolved in the water
being used is atomized along with the water and perceived later in
the environment as undesired fine lime precipitation. Furthermore,
in the case of air humidifiers with two containers that are flowed
through in series, there is a risk of germs building up at high
temperatures and/or during standstill times. This, too, is also not
effectively countered by measures that are taken in the first
container against the build up of germs. Thus, particularly given
long standstill times, germs form in the second, downstream
container and are then immediately atomized as well when the air
humidifier is switched on. Finally, the lime dissolved in the water
leads not only to the described lime deposits in the environment of
the air humidifier, but also impairs the service life and/or
functioning of the oscillating plate used in the case of ultrasonic
atomization, or of the nozzle used in the case of nozzle
atomization. The functioning of the oscillating plate is impaired
by lime deposits, in particular. These lime deposits can be removed
by a cleaning process that takes place every three to four days.
However, in the case of mechanical cleaning there is the risk of
damaging the oscillating plate. The atomizing function of the
nozzle is influenced, in particular, by an increasing obstruction
due to lime deposits. In the known apparatuses, use is made of
deliming cartridges in order to reduce these liming problems.
However, said cartridges must be frequently changed and, in
accordance with new findings, form an optimum feeding ground for
bacteria and fungi owing to the large surface of the granulate
used.
JP 10-281502 A1 discloses an air humidifier that comprises a first
container and a second container that can be filled from the first
container, an atomizer and electrodes arranged in the first
container. This air humidifier has the above-described problems
associated with the lime and the hygiene in the second
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to develop an air humidifier
whose function and service life is not impaired by lime dissolved
in the water during operation lasting at least a few months, and
which can be operated acceptably from a hygienic point of view even
after lengthy standstill times or at relatively high ambient
temperatures.
The inventive air humidifier has a second container that is
subdivided into a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the two
reservoirs being connected with the interposition of a filter, two
electrodes being arranged in the first reservoir, and a component
of the atomizer being arranged in the second reservoir in order to
atomize the water. The electrodes in the second container thereby
perform deliming and sterilization, precipitated lime particles
being kept away by the filter from the component of the atomizer,
that is to say the oscillating plate or the nozzle. The essence of
the invention is therefore a water treatment in the second
container, the water treatment permitting the displacement of the
water treatment from the first container into the second container
owing to the separation of the second container with a filter into
a treatment reservoir and an atomization reservoir.
Furthermore, the invention provides for separating the air
humidifier physically into a base unit and at least one replaceable
module. This enables a simple replacement of wearing parts, the
technology used enabling a long service life of the wearing parts,
and thus long service intervals.
The invention provides for the electrodes and/or the filter and/or
the component of the atomizer for atomizing water to be integrated
in the replaceable module. This ensures a long service life of the
base unit.
The invention also provides that the module can be inserted into
the base unit and be removed from the base unit. It is thereby
possible to replace the module easily.
According to the invention, the module comprises the second
container. This further simplifies the replacement, since it is
possible to design a compact and stable assembly in which the
second container takes over the function of a carrier for the
further components.
The invention also provides to design the electrodes as ceramic
electrodes. Such electrodes permit a so-called electrolytic
sterilization of the water.
The invention provides to design the filter as a mechanical filter.
Such a mechanical filter can be used to filter out coarse
contaminants and lime particles, a mechanical filter also enabling
the water to consequently flow rapidly from the first reservoir of
the second container into the second reservoir of the second
container.
The invention also provides to equip the second container with at
least one sensor and to design the latter, in particular, as a
component of the module. A sensor enables the operational safety of
the air humidifier to be enhanced and--if the sensor is a component
of the module--to ensure its acceptable operation even over
years.
The invention provides, in particular, for the sensor to be used to
monitor the water level in the second container. This enables the
atomizer to be protected against detrimental dry operation.
According to the invention, such a sensor can be formed by the two
electrodes. Such a sensor is particularly cost effective, since it
is implemented by existing components and all that is required is
an electronic evaluation of determined characteristic data.
The invention also provides for the sensor to be used to acquire
the quality of the water in the second container. This enables a
warning function to be implemented that warns the user against
operation that damages health when, for example, a liquid other
than water is filled in.
The invention further provides an electrical interface with a
control electronics on the module. This enables the module to be
handled easily when being installed in and removed from the base
unit of the air humidifier.
In accordance with a design variant, the invention provides to
design the atomizer as an ultrasonic atomizer, the ultrasonic
atomizer comprising an electronic system and an oscillating plate
that are physically separated from one another, and the oscillating
plate being arranged in the second reservoir as a component of the
atomizer. This separation of the oscillating plate from its
electronic system avoids additional heating of the water in the
second container or the second reservoir of the second container,
and thus additionally avoids deposition of residual lime present on
the oscillating plate.
The invention provides to design the oscillating plate as a
piezoceramic plate. Piezoceramic plates enable a particularly fine
atomization.
The invention also provides to equip the interface of the module
with electrical contacts for the oscillating plate. It is thereby
possible to lead the connection between the oscillating plate and
its electronic system via the interface, and the oscillating plate
and associated power electronics can easily be separated.
In accordance with a further design variant, the invention provides
to design the atomizer as a nozzle atomizer, the nozzle atomizer
comprising a pump and a nozzle, the nozzle being arranged in the
second reservoir as a component of the atomizer. Particularly
powerful air humidifiers can be built with such an atomizer.
Finally, the invention provides for the electrodes arranged in the
second container also to be operated in a standby mode in which the
atomizer is not active. It is thereby possible for water that is
located in the first and in the second reservoir to be kept in a
hygienically acceptable state during a pause in operation of the
air humidifier. It is thereby also ensured that no infected fog is
produced after the pause in operation.
An air humidifier is to be understood within the meaning of the
invention as an apparatus that uses an atomizer to atomize water
into tiny drops and outputs this cold fog to the environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further details of the invention are described in the drawing with
the aid of schematically illustrated exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an air humidifier according
to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the air humidifier of FIG. 1, with the
replaceable module;
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the air humidifier of FIG. 1, without
the replaceable module and without the first container;
FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the replaceable module;
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the replaceable module; and
FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of an air humidifier according
to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An air humidifier 1 according to the invention is illustrated in a
schematic side view in FIG. 1. The air humidifier 1 essentially
comprises a base unit 2 and a replaceable module 3. The air
humidifier 1 comprises a first container 4, which can be removed,
and a second container 5 that is constructed in the replaceable
module 3. The second container 5 is subdivided into a first
reservoir 6 and a second reservoir 7. A partition 8 dividing the
second container 5 comprises a filter 9. Arranged in the first
reservoir 6 of the second container 5 are two electrodes 10, 11
(see also FIG. 4), by means of which water W that is located in the
second container 5 can be delimed and disinfected. The air
humidifier 1 further comprises an atomizer 12. The atomizer 12 is
designed as an ultrasonic atomizer 13 and essentially comprises an
oscillating plate 14 that is designed as a piezoceramic plate 15
and is connected to an electronic system 16 via lines L13. The
oscillating plate 14 forms a component 17 of the atomizer 12 or 13
that is arranged in the second reservoir 7 of the second container
5 and thus belongs to the replaceable module 3. When the ultrasonic
atomizer 13 is operating, there is formed via the oscillating plate
14 a water cone K that reaches into an outflow duct 18. Very small
water droplets (not illustrated in detail) are entrained along the
outflow duct 18 by an air flow 19, the air flow 19 being generated
by a fan 20 and flowing into the outflow duct 18 via a blower duct
21 in an arrow direction X19. Finally, the air humidifier 1
comprises a control electronics 22 by means of which the air
humidifier 1 can be controlled in an automated fashion. For
example, the control electronics 22 of the air humidifier 1 is used
to control a valve 23 assigned to the first container 4. The valve
23 is seated in an outlet 24 of the first container 4, via which
the second container 5 or the first reservoir 6 thereof can be
filled. For the purpose of holding the replaceable module 3, the
air humidifier 1 has an insertion shaft 25 from which the
replaceable module 3 can be withdrawn in an arrow direction x' and
can be pushed in an arrow direction x. In order to make contact
between the replaceable module 3 and the housing 2, the replaceable
module 3 and the housing 2 respectively have an electrical
interface 26 or 27, respectively, via which the two components 2
and 3 can make contact with one another in the position of the
module 3 that is pushed in, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition
to the above-mentioned lines L13 that connect the oscillating plate
14 to its electronic system 16, lines L10 and L11, via which the
electrodes 10, 11 are connected to the control electronics 22, are
also guided via the interfaces 26, 27. Also arranged on the first
container 4 is an interface 28 via which said container is
connected to a further interface 29 of the base unit 2. Guided via
these interfaces 28, 29 are lines L23 that connect the valve 23 to
the control electronics 22. The valve 23 is opened or closed by the
control electronics 22 as a function of a water level 30 exhibited
by the second container 5 in its two reservoirs 6, 7. In order to
implement this refilling function, the second container 5 has a
sensor 31 that is formed by the two electrodes 10, 11. A lowering
of the water level 30 below a level N can be detected by the
electrodes 10, 11 forming the sensor 31. In accordance with a
design variant that is not illustrated, it is also provided to
control the refilling operation purely mechanically and to design
it in accordance with the so-called bird-bath principle.
The air humidifier 1 can be completely maintained by a minimum of
outlay without technical knowledge by replacing the replaceable
module 3 for an equivalent, new replaceable module. In this case,
the electrodes 10, 11, the filter 9 and the oscillating plate 14
are changed by replacing the module 3. Consequently, all the
components of the air humidifier 1 that are subject to wear can be
replaced with the module 3. Since, apart from a natural
vaporization owing to the ambient heat, water is consumed only in
the second reservoir 7, the water W flows through the filter 9 and
ducts 32 in the partition 8 during operation of the atomizer 12,
generally in the arrow direction x'. In a so-called standby mode,
in which the atomizer 12 is not active, it is, however, also
possible for the water W to flow back in the arrow direction x
through the ducts 32 in the partition 8 and the filter 9. To this
extent, the two reservoirs 6 and 7 constitute two communicating
vessels. Consequently, a disinfecting action of the electrodes 10,
11 that are being operated further in the standby mode also affects
the quality of the water W in the second reservoir 7. The
electrodes 10, 11 thereby keep the second container 5 in a
hygienically acceptable state in the standby mode of the air
humidifier 1. The first container 4 can also be removed from a
shaft 33 of the air humidifier 1 or the base unit 2 in order to be
filled up and cleaned. Finally, it is provided to guide lines L23
that connect the fan 23 to the control electronics 22 via
cooperating interfaces 34 and 35. The interface 34 is constructed
on the fan 23 thereby, and the interface 35 is constructed as third
interface 35 on the base unit 2 of the air humidifier 1. It is
thereby also possible for the fan 23 to be replaced in a simple
fashion, if appropriate. It is provided, furthermore, to design the
electrodes 10, 11 as ceramic electrodes 36, 37 (see also FIG.
4).
The air humidifier 1 known from FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2
without the replaceable module. A new replaceable module can now be
pushed into the insertion shaft 25 in arrow direction x, and
contact can be made with the interface 27.
FIG. 3 shows once again the air humidifier 1 known from FIG. 1, the
first container also being removed from its shaft 33 in addition to
the replaceable module.
The replaceable module 3 known from FIG. 1 is illustrated in plan
view in FIG. 4. In this view, the two electrodes 10, 11 or 36, 37
can be seen in their arrangement in the first reservoir 6 of the
second container 5. It may further be seen how the partition 8 and
the filter 9 supported by the latter extend over a width B5 of the
second container 5 and divide the latter into the first reservoir 6
and the second reservoir 7.
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the replaceable module 3, such as is
already known from FIG. 1, too. It is possible to see in this view
individual contacts 38 for the lines L13 of the oscillating plate
14, and individual contacts 39 for the lines L10, L11 to the
electrodes. These contacts 38, 39 together form the interface 26 of
the module 3.
A further air humidifier 1 is illustrated in FIG. 6. As opposed to
the air humidifier illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, said air humidifier
1 has as atomizer 12 a nozzle atomizer 40 that essentially
comprises a pump 41 and a nozzle 42. A replaceable module 3 of this
air humidifier 1 has two couplings 43, 44. Via the coupling 43,
water W can be sucked from a second reservoir 7 of a second
container 5 via a pipeline 45 into the pump 41 and be passed on via
the latter to the nozzle 42, in order to be atomized, via a second
pipeline 46 and the coupling 44. Reference may be made to FIGS. 1
to 5 as regards the functioning of the air humidifier 1, since the
air humidifier described there functions identically in principle.
When the module 3 is being replaced, the latter is simply picked up
from the pipelines 45 and 46 together with the couplings 43 and 44
for the purpose of removal, and subsequently withdrawn.
The invention is not restricted to exemplary embodiments
illustrated or described. Rather, it comprises developments of the
invention within the scope of the patent claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
1 Air humidifier
2 Base unit of 1
3 Replaceable module of 1
4 First container
5 Second container
6 First reservoir of 5
7 Second reservoir of 5
8 Partition between 6 and 7
9 Filter between 6 and 7
10 Electrode
11 Electrode
12 Atomizer
13 Ultrasonic atomizer
14 Oscillating plate
15 Piezoceramic plate
16 Electronic system for 14
17 Component of the atomizer 12, 13
18 Outflow duct
19 Air flow
20 Fan
21 Blower duct
22 Control electronics
23 Valve on 4
24 Outlet of 4
25 Insertion shaft for 3
26 Interface on 3
27 First interface on 2
28 Interface on 4
29 Second interface on 2
30 Water level in 5
31 Sensor
32 Duct in 8
33 Shaft for 4 in 2
34 Interface on 23
35 Third interface on 2
36 Ceramic electrode
37 Ceramic electrode
38 Electrical contact on 3 for L13
39 Electrical contact on 3 for L10 or L11
40 Nozzle atomizer
41 Pump of 40
42 Nozzle of 40
43 Coupling
44 Coupling
45 Pipeline
46 Pipeline
B5 Width of 5
K Water cone
L10 Line from 10 to 22
L11 Line from 11 to 22
L13 Line from 13 to 22
L23 Line from 23 to 22
N Level of 30
X19 Flow direction of 19
x Arrow direction
x' Arrow direction
* * * * *